The first half of Raaz 3 is not bad. Talking about the horror part in the film, we definitely aren't scared to death. Bipasha Basu steals the show left, right and center as Shanaya; Emraan and Esha are average, say critics.

"Vikram Bhatt has mastered the art of sending a shudder down your
vertebrae. The horror quotient in Raaz 3 is sure to make you break into a cold sweat at times, but what really catches your attention is the human element. In fact, Raaz 3 takes the negativity factor in women to an altogether different altitude. Writer Shagufta Rafique amalgamates vendetta, jealousy, conflict, drama and sexuality to create a chilling saga," writes Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama.

"The world is made of up of good and evil forces. Aatmas and Parmatmas. Those with chalk-smeared faces and those who merely appear as blinding lights and speak with an echo. But none of them can be immortal enough to live through a show of 'Raaz 3'. The prospect of getting horrified in three-dimension could be promising. But Indian horror films, as pioneered by the Ramsays, have rarely gone beyond junior artists in Halloween costumes grunting like death-metal vocalists. Here you have just that, and perhaps a few mouth-to-mouth adventures and some Kentucky fried frights. Yes, it is no raaz that you're up for some good ol' Bhatt kicking," writes Kunal Guha, Yahoo.

"The first half of Raaz 3 is not bad. Shagufta Rafique has the scares in the right places and you are really glued to your seat. But you’re never really shown how big a star Shanaya is to feel that she’s lost something that meant the world to her. Sanjana may be an orphan but doesn’t she have even a single friend who can help her instead of running off into Aditya’s arms? The script’s spiral towards stupidity begins in the second half. Spoiler Alert: the evil spirit brutally kills Sanjana’s maid in the first half. But when Shanaya asks him to kill Sanjana later, he gives her some lecture about God being the only one who can take lives. The movie falls flat when you realize that it’s a story of convenience. And how come the evil water doesn’t affect Shanaya at all? The part of Shanaya and Sanjana just sounds like a lame excuse to add some soggy spice to the story," writes Roshni Devi, Koimoi.com.

"Talking about the horror part in the film, we definitely aren't scared to death, but, yes, there are scenes that might make you break into a cold sweat. Especially, certain horrific screams and cries in the movie might give you goosebumps. The Bhatt camp excels, when it comes to titiliating skin shows and sex scenes. But, the intimate scenes between Bipasha and Emraan looks half-hearted and half-baked. The film's 3D effect adds the horrifying factor, especially, the scene, where Esha's servant commits suicide by hanging herself to death is scary. I cannot miss the coackroach scene, where Esha goes nude in order to save herself. It is surely the best one," reports OneIndia.com.

"Mahesh Bhatt has convincingly spun a spooky yarn and Vikram Bhatt has further lent it a sinister edge with his directorial finesse. Rather than straightaway hopping onto the horror-filled chills and sequences, Vikram gradually builds up the suspense and uses special effects deftly to give the viewer the creeps," writes N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice.

"Bhatt employs all the clichés of a horror film — dead bodies, graveyards in the middle of the night, black magic, maggot-infested ghosts and much more. Unfortunately, not much of it is scary and apart from making you jump out of your seat a couple of times, “Raaz 3” won’t provide any more thrills or chills," says Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Reuters.

Special effects"Being a film where the VFX could've been a game changer, the technicians fail to impress. And the much-tweeted about 'attack of the flying cockroaches' scene looks more like a sewage pipe exploding. If director Vikram Bhatt has applied himself completely into this project, it says quite poorly of his sensibilities as it conforms to every cliché that one associates with Bollywood horror from the beginning of time. Good over evil. Dig out the idol of Ganpati and he will show you the way. Even a few drops of Gangajal flow in towards the end," says Guha.

"The 3D is completely ineffective and why it was employed is a mystery. Bhatt, of course, uses some skin show, an Emraan Hashmi kissing scene and plenty of song-and-dance to distract the viewer from the horror element, but it is all for nothing," says Jamkhandikar.

Performances"It's very infrequent that a Hindi film heroine gets to illustrate such a commanding character and Bipasha seizes the opportunity with both her hands, coming up with a bravura act. Her audacious scenes, unabashed approach and oozing sex appeal set the screen aflame. Enacting the role of an actress whose career is on a downslide, Bipasha gets the character accurate. Raaz was a turning point in her career and Raaz 3 should mark the commencement of a fresh phase for this gifted actress," says Adarsh.

"Emraan surrenders to the director's judgment absolutely, shedding all inhibitions and delivering a restrained and an authoritative presentation. Undeniably, Bipasha has an even more challenging role, but Emraan's fans won't be disappointed either. Esha Gupta appears awkward and self-conscious in the initial portions, but holds a few sequences graciously in the subsequent hour. I'd like to single out a scene when she has delusions of cockroaches attacking her. Her act in that particular scene is super," adds Adarsh.

"If Bipasha Basu had a career, it would be ruined. But since she doesn't, there's little that this film can take away from her. Her character isn't possessed but that doesn't stop her from rolling on the floor or laughing deliriously or doing anything that would suggest an unsound mind. Esha Gupta is a stunning portrait of a beautiful girl playing poker. While she makes a pretty face on the screen, she can't create creases on it to form any recognizable expression. Even in the scene where her character realizes that she has been cheated, all she does is cover her ears. Perhaps the reason she couldn't hear the director scream, "Emote! Emote!" Emraan Hashmi has now moved on to a league of actors who can't be dispirited for being associated with a possible Ghanta award winner. He takes his role as seriously as he could but his efforts couldn't exorcise the devilishly terrible plot from spelling doom for this film," says Guha.

"She’s evil, she’s manipulative, she’s power-hungry, but Bipasha Basu steals the show left, right and center as Shanaya. Emraan Hashmi has 2-3 staple expressions throughout the movie, but that’s more because of the script’s shortcoming. Esha Gupta is stiff as Sanjana but does much better towards the end (when she almost goes berserk). Manish Choudhary is good as the evil spirit," adds Devi.

"For all the Bipasha Basu detractors out there, BE AWARE....the bengal tigress is back with a bang! Bipasha as a fading actress, is outstanding in the film. She is the real hero, the show stealer. So far, we have seen Bipasha adding only the 'hotness' factor in films, but, Raaz 3 is sure to change your perception. Bipasha goes an unconventional way and illustrates a commanding character of a fading star, who was catapulted to fame. Some of the best scenes in the first half, that shows a stardom-hungry Bipasha's craze, pain and her desperation to dethrone Esha. Each of her profound expression, psyche behaviour and arrogance as a star adds extra points to Raaz 3," says OneIndia.

Bipasha Basu in Raaz 3

"When it comes to Emraan Hashmi, the Bhatts have yet again given this serial kisser the golden chance to get onto to bed with the two hotties! Well, jokes aside...Emraan does justice to his role. But, unfortunately, he gets overshadowed by Bipasha's strong act and larger than life screen presence. Esha Gupta is average, not as brilliant as Bips. She is more a 'zinda laash' in the movie and badly lacks some good expressions," adds the website.

Conclusion"On the whole, Raaz 3 is a story of staunch Indian beliefs and convictions in conjunction with a lethal combo of sex and horror in 3D, competent performances, an engaging human drama and most significantly, there's a gigantic brand value attached to it, which has worked extraordinarily well with the masses in the past. With this film, Vikram Bhatt raises the bar for horror films formulated on the home turf. If you are an enthusiast of supernatural thrillers/horror movies, Raaz 3 should be on your list of 'things to do and watch' this weekend. Go, get ready to be spooked!" says Adarsh.

"From being transported to a parallel universe to finding the 'chosen one' for the job, this film is quite like 'The Matrix'. Only difference, here you need both the pills. The first- to go down the Bhatt hole and the second for the ensuing headache," says Guha.

"On the whole, Bipasha Basu is both hero and a villain in the movie. She not only breathes life into her own character, but, also does a bravado act by carrying the entire movie on her own shoulders. This time, Bips has given a serious chase for money to the other B-Town beauties, with her smashing performance. So, watch Raaz 3 for Bips!" says OneIndia.

“Raaz 3 is neither scary nor thrilling. This is a nothing film — one that will leave you cold afterwards and one that you will forget before you even get home," concludes Jamkhandikar.

Tweet review

IBNLive Movies: Esha Gupta is looking gorgeous...but she has to really work hard on her dancing skills #Raaz3

IBNLive Movies: The plot is not so impressive, but #Raaz3 can scare, surprise and shock...

IBNLive Movies: Talking about performances... Bipasha will take your breath away...Emraan and Esha are average

IBNLive Movies: #Raaz3 is a must watch this weekend. Good horror films are rare in Bollywood... #Raaz3 gets 3 out 5